An allergic reaction to an injection of horse serum can produce serum sickness. It occurs in 10 percent of children if only 10 cc. of serum are injected, while the incidence rises to 90 percent if 100 cc. are injected. The symptoms are hives, swelling of the joints, and fever. These may appear immediately after [...]
These disorders occur when a woman produces antibodies directly against her own cells. The antibodies are thought to cause blood clots in the placenta, preventing the baby getting enough nutrients and blood. Treatment involves drugs that thin the blood, like aspirin and heparin.
An auto-immune condition called systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) causes chronic inflammation which can [...]
• Breast feeding. Research has shown that smoking cigarettes may contribute to inadequate breast-milk production. Nicotine has also been found in the breast milk of mothers who smoke, although the effect on the baby is not yet fully understood.
• Long-term growth. Studies of long-term growth and development give evidence [...]
Improving consultations
Start by writing down any information you need prior to the appointment. Your questions should also be written down and added to during the consultation.
Repeat information back to the doctor to make sure that you have heard and understood everything correctly. Ask for diagrams and illustrations to help you understand the information the doctor [...]
Aching feet are hardly a subject for high-tech medicine and more often than not elicit a laugh rather than sympathy. After all, no one ever died of them. However, when your feet hurt you hurt all over and aching feet can make the most easy-going person irritable and tense. Painful feet in turn can cause [...]